28/10/2014 - 18 newcomers to be mentored by industry experts

Stacy Martin

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has revealed the 18 newcomers chosen by members of the film, television and games industries as the 2014 BAFTA Breakthrough Brits. A jury of industry experts chose them after a UK-wide open call for applications and nominations. The honourees are: writers Jonathan Asser and Chris Lunt; producer/directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, and Marc Williamson; games producers Charu Desodt and Daniel Gray; directors Destiny Ekaragha and Sarah Walker; composer Tandis Jenhudson; presenter Ashley Kendall; actors Katie Leung, Stacy Martin and Callum Turner; game developer Reece Millidge; actor/producer Ray Panthaki; game designer William Pugh; and producer AJ Riach. The initiative was launched in 2013 to shine a spotlight on emerging talent.

Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said, “Our inaugural Breakthrough Brits have enjoyed a truly extraordinary year and now include multi-BAFTA and industry award winners and nominees, and across-the-board success stories. This year’s BAFTA Breakthrough Brits are 18 supremely talented individuals with great futures ahead of them. Over the next year, thanks to the outstanding support of our legacy mentors and partners, they will have the chance to meet with and learn from some of the most renowned names in the film, television and games industries.” 

‘Friends of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits’, who have offered to lend their support to the initiative, include Edith Bowman, Douglas Booth, Miranda Hart, Emma Freud, Paul Greengrass, Blake Harrison, Toby Jones, Ian Livingstone, Simon Pegg, Sheridan Smith, and Fiona Sperry.